Make a splash in downtown Oxford brewery's homebrew contest

Homebrewing is a time-honored tradition in Michigan, and especially so within the craft beer community.

If you think of your favorite Michigan-made craft beer, there’s a good chance that the company first started brewing beer not in a brewery but in their basement or garage.

HomeGrown Brewing Company in downtown Oxford is acknowledging that fact by offering area homebrewers the chance to brew their own beer with HomeGrown’s commercial brewing equipment. All they have to do is win the HGBC Homebrew Battle.

Contestants are asked to apply online and have their homemade brew ready to taste by April 6, dropping off a two-pack sample at the brewery. This year’s competing beers must be in the Hefeweizen category.

The contest is part of a larger national campaign by the American Homebrewers Association and its Big Brew program, which celebrates National Homebrew Day each year on May 7. The winner of HomeGrown’s contest will be available to the public that day.

"Now that we are up and running we are able to engage more with some local events and get some feedback on what people want," says HomeGrown owner and master brewer John Powers.

"It’s a great community to be a part of, and in Michigan, we have some great resources for homebrewers. We want to give someone the chance to experience what it’s like to brew on a big scale and see their beer up on our menu board."

Runners-up receive two tickets to the brewery’s monthly beer-pairing dinner for second-place, a $100 value, and a merchandise swag bag for third-place, a $50 value.